Assistant Farm Manager

The main purpose of the role is managing the garden team and maintenance on the Farm

Duties/responsibilities

Work closely with the Farm Manager, assist in farm responsibilities:

Manage:

• Manage farm and garden staff
• Coordinate worker activities such as planting, irrigation and harvesting, maintenance etc.,
• Assist with managing staff attendance, timesheets and leave
• Assist with coordinating contractors who work on the farm during certain seasons, including negotiation of rates
• Assist with leading day to day operations on the Farm and in the garden,
• Oversee landscaping and maintenance of gardens
• Application of cover crops, pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers according to Management instruction
• Maximizing efficient use of labour, equipment and time
• Monitor quality of work
• Assist with overall security on farm
• Maintenance of farm buildings, vehicles, tractors and equipment (including fencing)
• Maintain health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations (WIETA, SIZA, IPT ETC) based standard operating protocols

Required Skills / Abilities

Planning & organizing:

• Prioristize different tasks and executes them accordingly
• Coordinates and delegates’ work. Follows up and ensures things get done on time.

Problem Solving / Decision Making

• Considers the wider consequences of each decision
• Takes ownership of issue and follows through to point of resolve
• Mental agility – grasp problems quickly and, to think of several things at once to quickly see the whole situation to resolve

People Management

• Supports, encourages & develops team members
• Gains commitment from team members by providing direction and structure
• Deals with people issues promptly and effectively

Strategic & Commercial focus

• Demonstrates tenacious cost consciousness for the business
• Adds value to the business through knowledge of viticulture

Technical Knowledge

• Keeps technical knowledge in terms of viticulture up to date

Education and Experience

• Diploma or degree in Agriculture
• Driver’s license

Key Competencies

• Strong ability to work with a team and manage and motivate farm workers
  • Proactive and able to lead within a team-based environment
  • Conflict resolution
  • Communication skills English (read, speak, write), Afrikaans (read, speak, write).
  • High work ethic and willingness to learn
  • Computer literacy (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Willingness to work overtime and weekends